I had a terrible interview. I came home and felt like I needed therapy. I answered all of the questions honestly, why not? It was a panel interview with four people. Lasted an hour.

19 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 4:04AM UTC

   Been there done that! It might not have been as bad as you think but even if it was, there will be a much better interview for you in your future.

   I've had truly awful interviews, but in hindsight I am now glad they were awful because there was a better fit waiting for me for one reason or another every single time. Who wants to end up with a job that is not right for them anyhow?

   Many times when this happens it's either because some of the people interviewing you are not the right fit for you or because you subconsciously have figured out this is not the right fit for you.

   My last bad interview lasted almost three hours and there were some ok people, some people I really liked, some hideous people and by the time I got to the last person (CFO) I no longer wanted the job. Fortunately he came across like a real jerk and made it clear I wasn't worth his time. I already had reservations about the job anyways since it was so far away and in an area I had no interest moving closer to.

2. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:54AM UTC

   I liked what you said about it subconsciously not being a good fit, from the perspective of the candidate! I think, looking back on my past year of interviews, that icky feeling wasn’t me interviewing poorly, as much as it is my subconscious reacting to the wrong situation. The ick isn’t any of US! You could be the best person for the job, but if the ick is there, it’s good to walk away. I think this person dodged a situation. It’s best, this way! Getting a job and working at the job are two different things. Be careful what you sign up for.

3. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:58AM UTC

   I actually got the ick twice in one week and it was the worst! I remember crying and then asking God to close those doors for me so I would not have to say no. I would likely have said yes and been unhappy. Less than a month later, I am at my dream job, working with amazing kids! It worked out. No more ick!

4. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 10:02AM UTC

   I’m glad you have a decent job now! It worked out! But it’s still easy to ruminate over the icky interviews. I’m sorry about those. That feeling will pass, definitely. I could tell you some awesome awful interview stories! Don’t beat yourself up, it probably wasn’t you…

5. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 12:25PM UTC

   Did you just have this interview? Are you absolutely sure you bombed it? A few years ago, I was in a job search and was kinda at the point I was applying for anything I was qualified for (being unemployed sucks as I'm sure most would agree). I got called for an interview where I wasn't 100% keen on the position. I went for the first one, completely honest in all of my responses and on paper (and let me tell you, this may have been one of the most intimidating panel interviews I have ever had, it was a panel of judges...literal judges). I thought after that, there's no way they'd want to consider me. A month later, I got called back for a second interview and it was basically same scenario. Again, I didn't think I did well, nor did I do the usual post-interview follow-up. Meanwhile, I applied for a role with another company, a couple of interviews with the team over the course of a few days and offer in hand and called to withdraw my application from the other employer...the one where I was pretty positive I bombed both interviews to where I was shocked I wasn't rejected right away...and they were pissed because I was withdrawing and accepting employment elsewhere.

6. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 2:48PM UTC

   Remember this, not all interviewers are good at it. Just because they are interviewing you does not make them a better interviewer than you being the interviewee. I've had some doozies, and learned quite quickly, just because they are asking questions doesn't make them good at it. Just as one may be a manager, doesn't make them a good one. We all have had interviews that we felt sucked. Just like in college where we knew we bombed a test, and actually passed. Think of each interview as a stepping stone to learn and to get better. I had one that was so bad, I stopped the guy and thanked him and left. He followed me out still talking. I knew no one would work for that wacko. I've also been the interviewer as a recruiter and in other roles to hire colleagues. I work with folks who didn't interview for a living and it was obvious to me. But in the end, shake it off, and once time has passed, it will not feel as intense as it did right afterwards. A follow up email thanking them would be a nice way to close the chapter. Keep us posted and good luck!

7. AnonymousAugust 24,2024 at 2:59PM UTC

   Look at it this way. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. If the panel of four could not make you feel comfortable in the interview setting, what makes you think you would feel comfortable working there? What if they had wowed you and offered you the job, only to find out later that this was their working culture, not what wowed you? You came out of the interview with the conviction that this was not the place for you, and all it cost you was an hour of your time. You came out ahead on this.

8. AnonymousAugust 24,2024 at 3:26PM UTC

   You don't say what made it awful. It would perhaps help to share details here so that those who can coach and guide could help to assure you don't experience that again.

   Was it the panel? Those can be very uncomfortable if you don't know how to address a room of more than one interviewer. I generally recommend facing the person and looking them in the eye when that one person asks the question. That way you are directly responding to them. If you had to do a presentation that can bring other difficulties such as interrupts of questions when presenting. Do share maybe we can help?

   Also, were you a recruit? Or did you apply?

9. AnonymousAugust 25,2024 at 12:51PM UTC

   Sounds devastating.

   Some years ago I had a peer interview that was horrible. They asked me about my current workplace (I was still employed). As I was describing worktasks at my current workplace one of the interviewers was very disparaging about it and said that the way people work at my workplace is completely

   wrong. Back then I was working abroad; obviously, every company has it's own procedures and cultures. The interviewer came across as very snobbish and know-it-all. I hated this attitude. I came out from that interview feeling unwell like you. It took me some weeks to get over it. But I wrote to the management of that company and withdrawn my application, describing how I experienced the interviewer. Some time later I discovered that the rude interviewer wasn't working for that company anymore.

10. Anita SatkiewiczAugust 25,2024 at 4:46PM UTC

    It seems like your main concern is how you are having trouble letting it go. My husband used to tell me stop looking in the rear-view mirror; you might run into something. I know it's hard to let those thoughts go as they come back to you. I am praying for you.

11. AnonymousAugust 26,2024 at 2:21PM UTC

    That's a great analogy! I'll have to reference that :)

12. AnonymousAugust 28,2024 at 4:38AM UTC

    There are some very wise responses below.

    Bottom line: You only need one "yes"! This position was not it!

    Onward and upward!

13. AnonymousAugust 30,2024 at 12:50PM UTC

    Such supportive responses given so far! I'll offer a different direction based on your comment that you "answered all of the questions honestly." I get the impression you felt you may have answered the questions too honestly.

    If so, I understand the urge to spill your guts during an interview if you really want the job, but remember your ULTIMATE goal: demonstrating you're qualified. And hopefully your experience and transferrable skills illustrate you're more qualified than the other applicants.

    Demonstrating you're qualified requires believing in yourself and your value, explaining why your goals are important to you and how they align with the company's mission. You want to structure your responses thoroughly and with care so they're descriptive yet crisp, memorable but not too lengthy, and so they hone in on the skills that make you a subject matter expert.

    It takes some work to craft your career story and interview responses, but the more time and focus you place on it, the easier it becomes and your confidence will shine through.

    Now, on to the next better opportunity!

14. AnonymousSeptember 2,2024 at 1:52AM UTC

    Yes. I think that I need more interview practice. That being said, my husband got sick last week, my current job let me flex my schedule, take a week off PTO. And I realize, that it isn't always about making more money. My supervisor is great. So, really, it is not really a big deal to me now.

15. AnonymousSeptember 3,2024 at 12:34PM UTC

    Flexibility, work/life balance and having a leader you respect is very important. It isn't always about "climbing the ladder" and more $$.

16. SPNN4 SAugust 30,2024 at 4:19PM UTC

    I've been in that position before. I once walked into a panel interview and everyone was leaning back in the Chair, arms crossed and the impress me vibe. I hated it. Shake it off and keep going. Take it as a sign you wouldn't want to work there anyway!

17. Jen MooreAugust 30,2024 at 5:10PM UTC

    Oddly you may have aced it! It’s a reflection of them not you forgive yourself and write it off!

18. Wanda ShawAugust 31,2024 at 11:31PM UTC

    You may have thought that you did poorly, but chances are you probably did way better than you thought. Given how super critical we can be of ourselves, it stands to reason why all the little things that you thought you did wrong in that moment are on replay in your mind. But I'm going to implore you to extend yourself some grace and peace of mind. The interview itself is past history and you're not going to influence the outcome, one way or the other, by worrying or thinking about what you could have or should have done differently. It's a vain mental exercise that will wear you down. Instead, turn your mind to what you know is true: you're gainfully employed. That's enough encouragement to keep you going and thriving. All the best to you.

19. Changemaker828603September 2,2024 at 1:55AM UTC

    Thanks. I am over it now. I really don't think that I would want to work there anyway.